Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – A 50-percent shooting performance in the second half by the visiting Eastern Connecticut proved too much for UMass Dartmouth women's basketball on Wednesday evening, as the Corsairs fell 73-54 to the Warriors at the Tripp Center in Little East Conference play.
In a game featuring last year's Little East Conference co-regular season champions, the long-range bucket proved to be the difference maker, as Eastern Connecticut's Jordyn Nappi (Southington, Conn.) and Julia DePoi (Brookfield, Conn.) combined for nine 3-point baskets to the Corsairs' one.
The Warriors shot an impressive 50 percent (13-of-26) in the second half to secure the victory, posting a 45 percent performance for the evening.
Despite going 12-of-25 (48 percent) from the field in the first half, UMass Dartmouth struggled to produce in the second stanza, connecting on only 30 percent (9-of-30) of its attempts.
Senior Beth Castantini (Newburyport, Mass.) put forth her best outing in six games, leading the Corsairs with 16 points. Alicia Kutil (Franklin, Mass.) added 11 points, while freshman Nakira Examond (New Bedford, Mass.) led all rebounders on the night with nine boards.
The first quarter was an evenly-matched affair, featuring seven tied scores. The hosts put forth a small run to close the period, scoring the last five points with three free throws and layup from freshman Danyel Gonzalez (Providence, R.I.) to earn the largest lead of either team thus far.
The run continued in the second period, with the Corsairs extending the lead to as much as nine thanks to layups from junior Megan Ronaghan (North Attleboro, Mass.) and Colleen Kane (Arlington, Mass.) until the Warriors responded back. Free throws from Eastern Connecticut's Jill Ritrosky (Pittsfield, Mass.) and a layup from Megan Cardarelli (Manchester, Conn.) helped to push the visitors to a 31-30 lead at the break.
The second half was all Eastern Connecticut, which never again trailed on the night. Out of the break, the Warriors embarked on a 14-4 run to go up as much as 11. Nappi accounted for 11 of those points, nailing three 3-pointers and two foul shots over the opening six minutes of the third quarter.
During the fourth quarter, the Warriors slowly extended their advantage by outscoring the Corsairs 23-13. Back-to-back jumpers from Chelsea Houlihan (Wolcott, Conn.) were able to bring the hosts back within seven, but numerous fouls and turnovers eventually led to a 19-point Warrior victory.
DePoi registered a career-high 21 points on the game, with Nappi finishing with 19 points and six boards. Both guards added four assists apiece. In the paint, Ritrosky contributed 16 points with six rebounds.
Both teams continue Little East Conference play on Saturday, with UMass Dartmouth traveling to Southern Maine at 1 p.m. while Eastern Connecticut will meet UMass Boston at home.
